Coupling device for a load securement

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an improved system for securing cargo loads. A method of the system incorporates the use of a coupling device to receive and releasably retain at least one clip and assembly, the coupling device has a body with openings to receive the clip assembly that has engaged the cargo load, one of the coupling devices slidably adjusts about the clip assembly to connect to a further coupling device via the clip assembly to accommodate for varying dimensions of cargo load

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to coupling devices and freight strap clip assemblies used to secure cargo. The coupling devices are used to connect clip assemblies together for securing cargo of varying dimensions.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Systems and devices used in those systems for attempting to safely secure cargo are known in the art, in particular the use of standard sized freight strapping having a releasable clip disposed at either end of the strapping. However, a problem with limited standard lengths of commercial freight strapping is found in the dimensions of the strapping lengths i.e. the straps are either too long or too short to accommodate cargo having irregular and oversized dimensions.

In order to overcome disadvantages of the prior art, the present invention provides systems and devices used in those systems to secure cargo loads of varying dimensions.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a system for securing cargo incorporating a method of using, in kit form or otherwise, at least one coupling device interconnected with at least one releasable clip assembly for securing cargo of varying dimensions.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for securing cargo comprising at least one clip assembly having a strap disposed therefrom, at least one coupling device having a body member defining at least one opening dimensioned to receive the clip assembly therein or therethrough.

An embodiment of the present invention provides the coupling device being operably interconnected in a network of clip assemblies extending therefrom for securement of a plethora of cargo items.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided at least one clip assembly having a strap disposed therefrom, at least one coupling device having a body member defining at least one opening dimensioned to receive the clip assembly therein or therethrough.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a coupling device having a body member with at least three adjoined side walls, two of the three side walls defining opposed openings dimensioned to receive the clip assembly therein or therethrough, the non-opposed side wall defining at least one opening dimensioned to receive the clip assembly therein or therethrough.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a coupling device wherein the body member has a bottom wall or a top wall defined therein or thereon.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for securing cargo comprising the steps of: positioning the cargo in an environment for containing the cargo, connecting to the environment at least one clip assembly having a strap disposed therefrom, placing the clip assembly on to the cargo, and connecting the clip assembly to at least one coupling device having a body member defining at least one opening dimensioned to operably receive the clip assembly therein or therethrough.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided at least one strap and clip assembly that operably engages an environment in which the cargo is contained therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one aspect of the present invention without the associated clip;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is perspective view of the present invention illustrating the associated clip assembly with a coupling device in a clip and coupling assembly;

FIG. 5 is perspective view of a further coupling device of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a further coupling device of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the present invention illustrating the associated clip and coupling assembly;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further aspect of the present invention illustrating a three sided version of the coupling device having opposed openings therethrough;

FIG. 9 is a plan side view of three sided coupling device; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the present invention illustrating the associated clip and coupling assembly;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although other applications may be envisioned for the load securement of cargo of the present invention, such as a coupling device for interaction with a strap and clip assembly for securement of cargo, the application of the present invention is particularly advantageous in securing cargo and loads therein. Accordingly, without intending to limit the present invention to the embodiments described herein, the invention will be described below in further detail having regard to the interaction of coupling devices with strap and clip assemblies to secure cargo and the loads contained therein as shown in FIGS. 1 to 10.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a cargo load securement system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system incorporates either one or both of the available coupling devices with the clip assembly of the present invention to establish an interconnection of coupling devices in the form of a clip and coupling assembly, as depicted in FIGS. 4, 7 and 10, to secure cargo loads of varying dimensions. The coupling device as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 has a body member 1 having at least two side walls 3 adjoined to a bottom wall 5 and to a top wall 4, the two side walls 3 define opposed openings 9 in to which at least one clip assembly 8 is passed through to a chosen position on the strap 6. The ends of the strap, having the clip 7 attached thereto, are connected to a further coupling device as depicted in either FIG. 5 or in FIG. 8. For example, the coupling device of FIGS. 1 to 4, having one of two side walls 3, defining a smaller opening 2 in to which another clip assembly 8, as found, for example, in FIGS. 5 to 10, extend from a further coupling device member 1, being releasably engaged therein, the clip assembly 8 of the coupling device being moveable about the clip assembly 8 to secure multiple cargo loads of dynamic proportions. FIGS. 5 to 10, show a cargo load securement system that can complement the aforementioned system in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. The system incorporates the available coupling devices of the present invention to establish a network of coupling devices to secure cargo loads of dynamic proportions and of varying dimensions. At least one of the coupling devices as depicted in FIGS. 5 to 10, have a body member 1 with side walls 3, at least two of said side walls 3 adjoined by a third side wall 3, the side walls 3 defining the smaller opening 2 to receive and retain the clip assembly 8 therein. The side walls 3 of the body member 1 can further define opposed openings 9 into which a further clip assembly 8 can be releasably engaged. FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 depict a coupling device member 1 having four side walls 3 in arrangement defining opposed openings 9 for engaging at least one clip assembly 8. For example, couplings devices can be used individually or together to retain clip assemblies 8 secured about cargo loads and attached to docking points in or around the cargo. The coupling devices and the clip assemblies 8 of the present invention can be in the form of a load securement kit applied in a method for securing a cargo loads of dynamic proportions of varying dimensions, where necessary at least one clip assembly 8 engages an area of a transporter moving the cargo. The opening 9 can be of a dimension suitable to accommodate and releasably retain the clip assembly 8 therethrough. The smaller opening 2 is dimensioned to receive and releasably retain the clip assembly therein.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The load securement system of the present invention provides an economical and easy to use alternative method of securing cargo loads of dynamic proportions and of varying dimensions. The present invention can also provide a load securement kit for securing a cargo load having at least one clip assembly with a strap disposed therefrom in cooperation with at least one coupling device having a body member defining at least one opening dimensioned to receive the clip assembly therein or therethrough. Compared to other load securement systems already known to those skilled in the art, the present invention requires minimal installation and provides more than adequate securement of cargo loads that shift and strain mechanical coupling devices during transportation. The present invention is inexpensive to manufacture and is easy to install from the load securement kits having contents including but not limited to at least one clip and coupling assembly of the present invention. 

1. A system for securing cargo comprising at least one clip assembly having a strap disposed therefrom, at least one coupling device having a body member with adjoined side walls defining at least one opening dimensioned to receive and releasably retain the clip assembly therein or therethrough.
 2. A system for securing cargo according to claim 1, wherein the adjoined side walls of the body member are substantially perpendicular.
 3. A system for securing cargo according to claim 1, wherein the body member has at least two side walls defining opposed openings dimensioned to receive the clip assembly therein or therethrough.
 4. A system for securing cargo according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device is made of a high tensile strength material selected from the group consisting of metal, metal alloys, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys and synthetic polymers.
 5. A system for securing cargo according to claim 4, wherein the coupling device is made from steel.
 6. A system for securing cargo according to claim 3, whereby the coupling device is slidably adjustable about the clip assembly.
 7. A system for securing cargo according to claim 1, whereby the coupling device operably interconnects a network of clip assemblies extending therefrom for securement of a plethora of cargo items.
 8. A coupling device for securing cargo comprising at least one clip assembly having a strap disposed therefrom, at least one coupling device having a body member with adjoined side walls defining at least one opening dimensioned to receive and releasably retain the clip assembly therein or therethrough.
 9. A coupling device for securing cargo according to claim 8, wherein the adjoined side walls of the body member are substantially perpendicular.
 10. A coupling device for securing cargo according to claim 8, wherein the body member has at least two sidewalls defining opposed openings dimensioned to receive the clip assembly therein or therethrough.
 11. A coupling device for securing cargo according to claim 8, wherein the coupling device is made of a high tensile strength material selected from the group consisting of metal, metal alloys, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys and synthetic polymers.
 12. A coupling device for securing cargo according to claim 11, wherein the coupling device is made from steel.
 13. A coupling device for securing cargo according to claim 10, whereby the coupling device is slidably adjustable about the dip assembly.
 14. A method for securing cargo comprising the steps of: positioning the cargo in an environment for containing or transporting the cargo, connecting to the environment at least one clip assembly having a strap disposed therefrom, positioning the strap on the cargo, operably connecting at least one end of the clip assembly to at least one coupling device therein or therethrough and securing the cargo.
 15. A method for securing cargo according to claim 14, wherein said coupling device has a body member with adjoined side walls defining at least one opening dimensioned to receive and releasably retain the clip assembly therein or therethrough.
 16. A method for securing cargo according to claim 14, wherein the adjoined side walls of the body member are substantially perpendicular.
 17. A method for securing cargo according to claim 14, wherein at least two side walls define opposed openings dimensioned to receive the clip assembly therein or therethrough.
 18. A method for securing cargo according to claim 14, wherein the coupling device is made of a high tensile strength material selected from the group consisting of metal, metal alloys, ferrous alloys, non-ferrous alloys and synthetic polymers.
 19. A method for securing cargo according to claim 18, wherein the coupling device is made from steel.
 20. A method for securing cargo according to claim 17, whereby the coupling device is slidably adjustable about the clip assembly. 